Be Subject to Government

13 Every ^[a](A)person is to be ^(B)subject to the governing authorities. For ^(C)there is no authority except ^[b]from God, and those which exist are established by God. ² Therefore ^[c]whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. ³ For ^(D)rulers are not a cause of fear for ^[d]good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; ⁴ for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an ^(E)avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also ^(F)for the sake of conscience. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. ^7 (G)Pay to all what is due them: ^(H)tax to whom tax is due; ^(I)custom to whom custom; ^[e]respect to whom ^[f]respect; honor to whom honor.

²¹ Furthermore, you shall ^[a]select out of all the people ^(A)able men ^(B)who fear God, men of truth, those who ^(C)hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, ^[b]of hundreds, ^[c]of fifties, and ^[d]of tens.

²² Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be ^(A)that they will bring to you every major matter, but they will judge every minor matter themselves. So it will be easier for you, and ^(B)they will carry the burden with you.

⁵ And Paul said, “I was not aware, brothers, that he is high priest; for it is written: ‘^(A)You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

²¹ They *said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He *said to them, “^(A)Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered, “^(A)We must obey God rather than men.

¹⁹ But ^(A)Peter and John answered and said to them, “^(B)Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment;

²⁰ for ^(A)we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”